Boat lantern holder



Feb. 3, 1959 Filed July 6, 1955 E. T. KUKLA BOAT LANTERN HOLDER Fig.

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2 Sheets-Sheet 1 "II," 'IIIIIIIII 40 n ml mm 1,. VIII,

Edward 7. Ku/r/a INVENTOR.

Feb. 3, 1959 E. T. KUKLA 2,872,146

BOAT LANTERN HOLDER Filed July 6, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Edward I Ku/r/a INVENTOR.

Q BY ad 8% nited This invention relates to a lantern holder adapted to be mounted on a boat.

An object of this invention is to provide a holder for a lantern which rapidly and effectively attaches a lamp placed thereon to a boat.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lantern holder base with a fixed jaw and a movable jaw, the movable jaw being spring pressed toward the spring jaw and adapted to clamp the bottom part of the lantern therein, there being means provided on the base arranged to clamp to a part of the boat and hold the lantern secure and in an upright position.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure l is an elevational side view of the lantern holder showing the same in use on a boat and with a lantern therein;

Figure 2 is a top view of the lantern holder;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on a line 33 of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 44 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55 of Figure 3 showing the movable jaw spring biasing means and limit for the movable jaw;

Figure 6 is a transverse sectional View taken on the line 66 of Figure 3; and

Figure 7 is a sectional view taken on a line 77 of Figure 3.

A conventional lantern 10 is illustrated in Figure 1, this lantern having a bottom 12 which is adapted to be gripped by the holder 14. Lantern holder 14 consists of a flat base 16 having a lantern pocket 18 on its upper surface, with the lantern pocket being defined by movable jaw 20, fixed jaw 22 and the upper surface of base 16 between the jaws.

Fixed jaw 22 extends transversely across the plate 16 overhanging the same considerably. The front of the jaw 22 has an inner curved surface 24- together with an outer curved surface 26, these surfaces being stepped with respect to each other and each being adapted to contact the bottom portion 12 of the lantern 10. Movable jaw 20 has similar surfaces 28 and 30, respectively, which function in identical manner.

Jaw 20 is slidable on the top surface of base 16 and consists of a block to which a handle 32 is secured, as by being pinned at 34. This handle extends through a guide block 36 in which countersunk holes 38 and 40 respectively are formed. These holes accommodate the head portions of screws 42 and 44, these screws being threaded into the jaw 20. Resilient means, as springs 46 and 48, are concentrically arranged on the screws 42 and 44 and constantly bias the jaw 20 toward the jaw 22. By pulling on the handle 32, jaw 26 is separated from jaw 22 with screws 42 and 44 guiding the jaw 20 in its travel. Springs 46 and 48 oppose the motion of jaw 22 in this direction as they are compressed. However, upon release of the handle 32 when the lantern is placed in its pocket 18, the springs 46 and 48 move the jaw 20 against the lantern and hold it firmly mounted 2,872,345 Patented Feb. 3, 1959 on the base 16. In order to guide jaw 20 in its travel and in order to cover the springs and screws 42 and 44, a substantially channel-shaped cover 50 is screwed or otherwise fastened to the guide block 36.

A portion 52 of a boat is schematically shown in Figures l and 3. As observed, boat portions to which lamps are most effectively mounted are tilted at an angle. Accordingly, an angular spacer block 56 is secured to the bottom surface of base plate 16 and a clamp 58 is secured to the spacer block. The clamp preferably consists of a C-shaped member 60 which is screwed or otherwise secured to the base together with a movable clamping member 62 coacting with said clamping member 60. A screw 64 is threaded in the member 60 and is connected to the movable clamp member 62 by means of a slip structure, as pins66 and 67 carried by member 62 and operable in groove 68 of the screw. The inner surfaces of clamp members 60 and 62 which constitute the jaws for clamp 58 are shaped to conform to the head at the top of the boat portion 52.

In practical use of the invention, the clamp 58 is attached to the boat as disclosed in Figure 1. Then, the handle 32 is withdrawn, pulling jaw 20 against the spring opposition described previously. The lantern 16 is placed in its pocket 18 so that the bottom of the lantern rests on the upper surface of base 16. Then, the handle 32 is released so that the jaw 20 together with the jaw 22 holds the lantern firmly in place on the base 16.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In a holder for a lantern, a base having a flat upper surface, an angular spacer secured to the lower surface of said base, a clamp carried by said base and mounted on said angular spacer to engage the angular side of a boat whereby the base is maintained in a horizontal position, a fixed jaw secured to the upper surface of said base and having stepped inner surfaces to engage different portions of the lantern, a movable jaw disposed on said base and spaced from said fixed jaw, means to withdraw said movable jaw from said fixed jaw in order to insert the lantern therebetween, spring means urging said movable jaw toward said fixed jaw so as to spring press said movable jaw against the lantern, guide means for said movable jaw carried by said base and including a guide block having passageways, elongated members secured to said movable jaw and freely movable through the passageways in said guide block, and a cover for said spring means carried by said guide block and contacting in guiding fashion a surface of said movable jaw.

2. The holder of claim 1 wherein said movable jaw has a first curved lantern contacting surface together with a second curved lantern contacting surface which is staggered with respect to said first surface.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 330,991 Matthews Nov. 24, 1885 901,618 Honstein Oct. 20, 1908 2,471,103 Franks et a1 May 24, 1949 2,531,626 Hull Nov. 28, 1950 2,559,003 Brow July 3, 1951 2,713,471 Hirsch July 19, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 24,498 Great Britain A. D. 1911 

